McLeish rues lack of killer instinct

BIRMINGHAM boss Alex McLeish was left to rue his side’s failure to kill off Aston Villa as their derby clash ended in a 1-1 draw at St Andrew’s.

McLeish felt his side had enough clear-cut opportunities when in front to wrap up the game.

McLeish said: “It was probably a fair result overall. We have come a long way in a couple of years in terms of these derby games and the results.

“Had we been a bit more clinical at 1-0, we would have seen it through.

“Craig Gardner had a wonderful chance with a volley which he put wide and he is a guy you would normally want and trust in that situation.

“Brad Friedel also made a great save at that point from Matt Derbyshire and we had the chance to turn the screw.”

Villa assistant manager Gary McAllister was delighted to have moved out of the drop zone.

He said: “On reflection, we created some good chances in the opening five minutes but over the 90 minutes I thought it was a fair result even though we hit the bar three times.

“It is a plus point psychologically to be out the bottom three.”